Eating too much sodium is a big risk factor for high blood pressure, but now a new study says that consuming too little potassium is an equally big risk factor, especially for blacks.

A gene, which may influence potassium’s effects on blood pressure, has also been identified in the study.

These findings back previous studies that have drawn similar results about blood pressure and potassium. The study has been on a Texas heart study done on the urine samples of 3,300 people.

This new study has been presented at the American Society of Nephrology’s annual meeting, in Philadelphia.

Dr. Susan Hedayati, who led the study, says: “lower levels of potassium in the urine, means lower potassium in the diet and higher blood pressure and the effect was even stronger than the effect of sodium on blood pressure.”

Some recent studies show that almost one out of three U.S. adults is suffering from high blood pressure, but the symptoms are not quite obvious and that’s why almost one-third of the people don’t even know that they have high blood pressure. Several diseases like stroke, heart failure and kidney failure can occur because of high blood pressure and it has become such a pervasive problem as it’s often called “the silent killer”

Blood pressure is the name of the force that is found in the arteries when the heart beats and rests. Blood pressure higher or equal to 140mm Hg (active) and 90mm Hg (at rest) is considered high blood pressure in an adult. High blood pressure can become the cause of serious problems for heart, deeply affects other organs of the body and often create serious complications for pregnant women.

There are many factors that can cause high blood pressure. Some of them can be changed by choosing a healthy lifestyle while some others are hereditary and can’t be changed. You must keep a regular check on your blood pressure, particularly if any of the following factors relate to you.

Obesity

Obesity is defined by body mass index (BMI) instead of the weight and it is closely related to high blood pressure. Most of medical professionals seem to recommend obese people with high blood pressure to lose their weight.

Hypertension is one of the leading medicinal problems faced by the world today. In simple terms, hypertension refers to the increased pressure of blood in the arteries. Arteries are the major blood vessels that carry blood from the heart to the various parts of the body. When the pressure of blood flowing in these arteries increases, it results in a condition known as hypertension.

Blood pressure of a medically fit person should be below 120/80. The number on top is the systolic blood pressure, which is the pressure on arteries when the heart contracts and pumps the blood. The bottom number represents the diastolic pressure, which is the arterial pressure when the heart relaxes after contraction. Blood pressure till 139/89 is known as pre-hypertension and exceeding 140/90 is considered to be high.